TRAVERSE CITY -- A local rehab clinic is expanding to meet the increasing the number of residents addicted to prescription drugs.
Addiction Treatment Services in Traverse City is transforming a home on Wellington Street into an inpatient treatment facility for women. This will allow them to help more residents with their drug problems.
The residential treatment program at the agency's 8th Street location had been a co-ed facility for years. Executive Director, Chris Hindbaugh says many women looking for a place to recover will go somewhere that keeps them separate from the men.
Hindbaugh says, "Women bring different issues into treatment and we want to be able to support that so we're excited about this opportunity."
The most recent statistics from the Northern Michigan Substance Abuse Service show 500 people were treated in Northern Michigan for prescription drug abuse in 2003. In 2010 that number jumped to 1500.
Hindbaugh says more middle to upper class women are suffering from prescription drug abuse in the area. This new facility will give them a safe, clean space where they will feel comfortable staying.
The facility can treat up to ten women at a time. There is already a waiting list.
